Malay Islamic court orders caning of model for drinking beer

Kuala Lumpur, Aug.19 (ANI): An Islamic court has ordered the caning of a Muslim part-time model after she admitted to drinking beer in ahotel night club.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was also fined 5,000 ringgit (856 dollars) for her offence, Sky News reports.

Shukarno, 32, was caught consuming alcohol when police raided a hotel nightclub in Pahang state last year.

She pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to six lashes with a rattan cane.

The Islamic court said the punishment must take place within seven days from next Monday.

Kartika will be held in a women's prison until then and afterwards released "as soon possible", prosecutor Saiful Idham Sahimi said.

Caning is administered on the buttocks and usually breaks the skin leaving permanent scars.

But a lighter cane than the one used on men will be used on Kartika with the purpose to "educate" rather than punish, Saiful said.

"This is the first case in Malaysia. It is a good punishment because under Islamic law a person who drinks commits a serious offense," he said.

Kartika has said she wants to be caned quickly so she can get on with her life with her husband and children. (ANI)